The legislation aims to accelerate the use of thorium-based nuclear fuel in existing and future international reactors. Benefits of using thorium for nuclear power include cutting the volume of spent fuel by as much as 40%. This is possible because thorium fuel rods remain in reactors approximately three times as long as a conventional nuclear fuel.

Benefits of using thorium for nuclear power include:

Thorium is a naturally-occurring resource and is abundant in the U.S and throughout the world

Thorium-based nuclear fuel is non-proliferative and cannot be turned into weapons usable material

The technology reduces the use of natural uranium by 15 percent or more

Grae continued, "The proposed legislation underscores the importance of these benefits and the critical role new fuel technologies will have in next generation nuclear development. Upon commercialization, our nuclear fuel technology will have the ability to power future reactors but requires no changes to existing reactors. We at Lightbridge are excited and encouraged by the interest in thorium-based fuels and welcome the opportunity to work with the government to ensure thorium's benefits can be realized."